Ventilation fan with a flange mounting system

ABSTRACT

A ventilation fan assembly suitable for installation in a ceiling or wall to provide ventilation of the adjoining space, wherein the ventilation assembly includes a fan housing and a removable flange mounting system. The flange system including at least one bracket with a receiver that removably engages an extent of the lower housing edge and a flange that extends from the receiver outward from the lower housing edge. Depending upon the positional relationship of the fan housing and the support surface(s), namely the ceiling, the flange engages an extent of a lower or upper surface of the ceiling. The bracket receiver includes at least one projection that is engages a corresponding aperture formed in the lower housing edge to removably couple the bracket to the housing. The removable flange mounting system improves the installation process and/or the sealing performance of the ventilation fan assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/675,566, filed on May 23, 2018, entitled “Bathroom Ventilation Fan with a Flange Mounting System,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, including but without limitation, those aspects of devices, systems, and methods for ventilation and mounting of ventilation components.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter relates to a ventilation fan that is mounted to a support surface, such as a ceiling in a bathroom or washroom. Specifically, the ventilation fan includes a removably coupled flange mounting system that is intended to improve the installation process and/or the sealing performance of the ventilation fan when installed in a support member, for example, the ceiling.

BACKGROUND

Ventilation fans are typically used to ventilate rooms, such as bathrooms and shower areas, in residential, commercial, and industrial structures. Existing bathroom ventilation fan assemblies are usually installed in a cutout or cavity formed in a support member, such as a ceiling or wall, during the installation process. The ventilation fan assembly, which can include various components, namely a grille assembly and a fan housing that includes a motor, a fan wheel or blower that draws air through the grille assembly and into the fan housing, and pre-installed electrical leads for connection to a power source.

During a typical installation process, the installer cuts an opening in the ceiling where the ceiling has dimensions that exceed the dimensions of the housing. As a result, the current installation process tends to leave small gaps between the fan housing and the edge of the ceiling that defines the opening (that receives the housing). It is not uncommon for a gap to be found on all sides of the housing. These gaps are problematic for a number of reasons, including that “conditioned air” from the room in which the fan assembly is installed can migrate upward and through the gap which negatively impacts energy efficiency ratings. These small gaps allow unwanted air and moisture to enter the ceiling or wall space, which can cause damage to the components of the bathroom fan ventilation system or other structures (e.g., joists) within a ceiling or wall space. Additionally, unwanted air and moisture can cause mold to develop, which can go undetected for large amounts of time.

Some existing designs for ventilation fan assemblies have attempted to address this issue by forming a hem around the lower edge of the fan housing. However, these hems do not provide a way to minimize larger gaps between the fan housing and the ceiling (or wall) at the installation location. Even when a hem is formed on the lower edge of the housing, which is typically sheet metal, the housing edge can be inadvertently deformed or displaced during installation, which leads to larger gaps, even if just localized. Thus, there is a tangible need to minimize gaps between a fan housing and a ceiling or wall material, while not compromising the installation process.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a ventilation fan assembly with a removable flange mounting system to facilitate installation of the ventilation fan in a support member. The flange mounting system may be installed on a housing of the ventilation fan assembly without the use of tools, and the mounting system is removable, again without the use of tools. The flange mounting system is intended to improve the sealing performance of the ventilation fan when installed in the ceiling or wall.

The subject flange mounting system may contain a bracket, which comprises a top flange, a U-shaped receiver that receives an extent of the lower edge of fan housing including its hem, a depending flange, a plurality of apertures that correspond to apertures on the hem of the fan housing, and a plurality of projections that extend from an interior portion of the receiver. These projections are configured to engage with the cooperatively positioned apertures of the fan housing.

The flange mounting system may attach to the lower edge or the hem of a fan housing by sliding the receiver portion into engagement with the lower edge/hem. Next, a downwardly directed connection force is applied to the bracket by the hand of the installer such that the projections are actuated or snapped into place with the aligned apertures formed in the housing hem. This engagement may secure the flange to the housing such that when the ventilation fan assembly is inserted into the cavity formed into the ceiling or wall, the flange fills and/or obstructs the gap between the housing and the ceiling opening edge, whereby this interaction prevents unwanted air and humidity from passing through the gap and entering the interior ceiling or wall space. In the event it becomes necessary, an upwardly directed disconnection force can be applied by the hand of the installer to the bracket such that the projections are disengaged from the apertures of the housing hem, which then allows for disconnection of the bracket. Accordingly, the installer can selectively apply a connection force or a disconnection force, by hand, to either couple the bracket to the housing or decouple the bracket from the housing.

Other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the attached drawings wherein like numerals designate like structures throughout the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a ventilation assembly installed in a ceiling of a washroom;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the ventilation assembly of FIG. 1 ready for installation in a ceiling of a washroom;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ventilation assembly of FIG. 1 showing that the assembly includes a fan assembly and a removable mounting flange assembly, wherein the fan assembly and the mounting flange assembly are in a partially assembled state;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ventilation assembly of FIG. 1 showing the fan assembly and a removable mounting flange assembly in an assembled state;

FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of the ventilation assembly of FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1B, showing the ventilation assembly in an under-mount configuration where an upper surface of the flange is positioned adjacent a lower surface of the ceiling;

FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view of the ventilation assembly of FIG. 3 taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1B, showing the ventilation assembly in an over-mount configuration where a lower surface of the flange is positioned adjacent an upper surface of the ceiling;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the removable mounting flange assembly of the ventilation assembly of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of a bracket of the removable mounting flange assembly;

FIG. 7 is a first elevation view of the bracket of the removable mounting flange assembly, showing an internal extent of the bracket;

FIG. 8 is a second elevation view of the bracket of the removable mounting flange assembly, showing an external extent of the bracket;

FIG. 9 is an end view of the bracket of the removable mounting flange assembly, showing a projection extending into the receiver of the bracket;

FIG. 10 is perspective view of an end portion of the bracket of the removable mounting flange assembly.

In one or more implementations, not all of the depicted components in each figure may be required, and one or more implementations may include additional components not shown in a figure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure. Additional components, different components, or fewer components may be utilized within the scope of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various implementations and is not intended to represent the only implementations in which the subject technology may be practiced. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described implementations may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Still further, modules and processes depicted may be combined, in whole or in part, and/or divided, into one or more different parts, as applicable to fit particular implementations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

Referring to FIG. 1, an illustrative ventilation assembly 12 is shown installed within a ceiling of a bathroom or washroom. The ventilation assembly 12 is shown to include a removable flange mounting system 14 including two L-shaped brackets 16 engaged with a fan assembly 18 that is installed within a ceiling opening O defined by ceiling edge E (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). The fan assembly 18 is secured to a support member above the ceiling (e.g., joist hanger) with some portions being arranged above the ceiling (as indicated in broken line in FIG. 1). The fan assembly 18 is illustratively connected with the brackets 16 to provide sealing between the fan assembly 18 and the ceiling. Although the brackets 16 are illustratively engaged with the bottom side of the wallboard of the ceiling, in some embodiments, the bracket 16 may be engaged with the top side of the wallboard, and/or may be installed in the wall rather than the ceiling.

Referring to FIG. 2, the ventilation assembly 12 is shown apart from the ceiling, with the fan assembly 18 decoupled from the mounting system 14 for descriptive purposes. The fan assembly 18 illustratively includes a fan housing 20 defining an inlet opening 22 on a bottom side (in the orientation of FIG. 2), and an outlet opening 24 on a lateral side (in the orientation of FIG. 2) which may optionally be connected with outlet piping. The fan housing 20 includes a motor and blower assembly 15 (see FIG. 1) for generating a flow of air through the inlet opening 22 into the cavity 26 of the housing 20 and out through the outlet opening 24, and optionally through outlet piping. A non-limiting example of a suitable motor and blower assembly can be found within U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0063796, published on Mar. 6, 2014, owned by the assignee of this application, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein, in their entirety, and including but without limitation, those portions directed to motors and/or blowers for ventilation. In the installed position, operation of the motor and blower assembly 15 draws air from the room below the ceiling 40 through the ventilation assembly 12 for exhaust purposes. Although not shown in the Figures, the ventilation assembly 12 also includes a grille assembly connectable to the lower portion of the fan housing 20. When the ventilation assembly 12 is properly installed, the grille assembly underlies and covers the inlet opening 22 and the ceiling opening O. The grille assembly includes at least one aperture, typically a plurality of apertures, that allow for the passage of air from the room through the inlet opening 22 and for discharge through the fan assembly 18. The grille assembly also includes at least one light element (e.g., LEDs) and a peripheral frame portion that engages a lower surface of the ceiling external to the ceiling opening O. A non-limiting example of suitable grille assembly can be found within U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0063796, published on Mar. 6, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein, in their entirety, and including but without limitation, those portions directed to the grille assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4A and 4B, the fan housing 20 illustratively includes a lower housing edge 28 arranged along a lower edge of the housing 20 that defines the inlet opening 22. The lower housing edge 28 is illustratively formed on each of the four lateral sides of the housing 20 about the opening 22, although in some embodiments, the lower housing edge 28 may be formed on fewer than four sides. The lower housing edge 28 includes a flap or rolled segment 30 that is bent about a terminal housing edge 58 such that it extends upwardly towards an upper end of the housing 20 at an outward angle to an outer housing wall 66. Each flap 30 forms a tapered width extending away from the opening 22, forming a slanted lateral side near each corner of the housing 20. In some embodiments the flap 30 may be formed as a distinct component secured with the housing 20. Each flap 30 illustratively includes at least one aperture 32, and preferably a plurality of apertures 32, defined there through to assist in coupling the fan assembly 18 with the flange mounting system 14, as discussed in additional detail herein. Alternatively, the apertures 32 may be configured as detents or recesses formed in the flap 30, whereas the detents and recesses do not extend completely through the flap 30.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the flange mounting system 14 illustratively engages with the lower housing edge 28 to couple with the fan assembly 18. Each bracket 16 of the flange mounting system 14 includes a mount flange 34 for engagement with the support, such as the ceiling, to provide sealing between the fan assembly 18 and the ceiling, and a receiver 36 for connection with the fan assembly 18. The receiver 36 illustratively includes a number of projections 38 (visible through openings in the receiver 36 in FIG. 2) each corresponding in size and location with the apertures 32 of the appropriate flap 30 of the fan assembly 18.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the flange mounting system 14 has been engaged with fan assembly 18. As discussed in additional detail herein, in the installed position the receiver 36 of each bracket 16 receives the corresponding flap 30. The projections 38 of each bracket 16 engage with the corresponding apertures 32 of the corresponding flap 30. Engagement of the projections 38 with the apertures 32 establishes an interference fit that can be overcome with the application of a sufficient disconnection force that is directed upward and away from the flap 30.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a partial cross-section of the ventilation assembly 12 taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1B further illustrates engagement between the fan assembly 18 and the flange mounting system 14. The receiver 36 receives the flap 30 therein and engages the projections 38 with the apertures 32 to prevent disengagement of the receiver 36 and the flap 30. The flap 30 can be resiliently formed to maintain pressure against the projection 38 when engaged with the aperture 32. In FIG. 4A, the ventilation assembly 12 is in an “under-mount configuration” where an upper surface 51 of the flange 34 is positioned adjacent a lower surface 40 a of the ceiling 40. The lower surface 40 a of the ceiling 40, embodied as wallboard, is shown engaged with the flange 34 wherein this engagement provides sealing and/or gap reduction between the ceiling 40 and the housing 20. FIG. 4B is a partial cross-section of the ventilation assembly 12 in an “over-mount configuration” where a lower surface 50 of the flange 34 is positioned adjacent an upper surface 40 b of the ceiling 40.

Referring to FIG. 5, the two brackets 16 are shown in isolation. Each bracket 16 has a first substantially linear section 42 that is joined to a second substantially linear section 44. In the illustrative embodiment, these sections 44, 42 are substantially the same length (L₁, L₂) and are substantially perpendicular to one another. Collectively, the sections 42,44 of each bracket 16 are substantially L-shaped, and they form a 90° internal angle, although in some embodiments, any the brackets 16 may include any suitable shape for mating with the lower edge of the housing 20. Cutouts 35 are defined in the receiver 36 of the second linear section 44, illustratively formed to have crescent shape, to accommodate protrusions 37 of the housing 20 during coupling of the bracket 16 with the housing 20, as discussed in additional detail herein.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the sections 42, 44 of the brackets 16 can be supplied in lengths that exceed the length (11,12) of the corresponding side of the housing 20, wherein the user can reduce their length, e.g., by cutting them, to the proper length prior to installation. In some embodiments, the sections 42, 44 may be connected with housing 20 which has lateral sides exceeding the length of the sections 42,44, such that the brackets 16 do not engage entire lower housing edge, in such embodiments, the apertures 32 may still be arranged to correspond with the projections 38 despite a difference in length between the sections 42, 44 and the lateral sides (11,12) of the housing 20. Additionally, the sections 42, 44 may have different lengths, for example to accommodate rectangular and/or other shapes of the lower housing edge. For example, section 42 may be substantially longer then section 44 to fit around a rectangular fan housing 20. In a further embodiment, the bracket 16 may have a different shape, such as circular, pentagon, hexagon or any other shape that corresponds to the lower edge of the fan housing 20.

FIG. 9 shows that each bracket 16 includes the flange 34, the receiver 36 formed as a curvilinear member preferably having a U-shaped configuration, a depending member 46, a plurality of apertures 48, and a plurality of projections 38. The flange 34 of the bracket 16, shown as a top flange in FIG. 9, extends outwardly from the receiver 36 and is positioned substantially perpendicular thereto. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the flange 34 is designed such that when it is installed on the fan housing 20 and the housing 20 is installed in ceiling, the flange 34 extends across the gap (G) between the fan housing 20 and the ceiling opening edge E. In the under-mount configuration of FIG. 4A, the flange 34 underlies an extent E₁ of the ceiling 40 that is adjacent to the ceiling opening edge E, wherein the upper surface 51 of the flange 34 underlies and engages the lower surface 40 a of the ceiling 40. In the over-mount configuration of FIG. 4B, the flange 34 overlies an extent E₁ of the ceiling 40 that is adjacent to the ceiling opening edge E, wherein the lower surface 50 of the flange 34 overlies and engages the upper surface 40 b of the ceiling 40. Although not shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the flange 34 can include openings there through to allow for the installer/user to install elongated fasteners through the flange 34 and into to the ceiling.

Referring to FIG. 10, the receiver 36 extends downward from the flange 34. As mentioned above, the receiver 36 is configured to receive an extent of the lower periphery of the fan housing 20, including the flap 30 formed on that lower housing edge 28. The receiver 36 comprises a first leg 52, a second leg 54, and a connecting segment 56 that preferably has a curvilinear configuration.

The flange 34 illustratively extends from the first leg 52 away from the second leg 54. The first leg 52 is coupled to the second leg 54 by the connecting segment 56, which provides the receiver 36 with a U-shaped configuration in cross-section open on the top in the orientation of FIG. 10. The depending member 46 extends from the second leg 54 and is illustratively formed as a rolled edge providing ease of engagement with the housing 20 and reinforcement to the second leg 54. On longitudinal ends, each of the second leg 54 and the depending member 46 are illustratively tapers to have slanted ends, in opposing directions from each other.

The first leg 52 is illustratively positioned: (i) substantially perpendicular to the flange 34 and (ii) substantially parallel with the second leg 54. The first leg 52 is spaced apart from the second leg 54 to define a receiver space 59 for receiving connection with the housing 20. While the first and second legs 52,54 are shown substantially parallel to each other, in some embodiments, the first and second legs 52,54 may be oriented at angle with respect to each other, provided that angle does not hamper engagement of the receiver 36 with the lower housing edge 28.

Returning briefly to FIG. 9, the height (h₁) of the second leg 54 of the receiver 36, with reference to the flange 34, is less than the height (h₂) of the first leg 52 of the bracket 16. This configuration helps ensure that the flange 34 is substantially parallel with the terminal edge 58 of the lower housing edge 28, when the bracket 16 is installed. Also, the height (h₁) of the second leg 54 is preferably large enough to overlap the entirety of the lower housing edge 28 when embodied as a hem. In some embodiments, the height (h₁) of the second leg 54 may be reduced. In some embodiments, the second leg 54 may not extend the entire length (11,12) of the first leg 52.

The depending member 46 extends from the end 60 of the second leg 54 and it is positioned such that the inner surface 62 of the depending member 46 is in contact with the outer surface 64 of the second leg 54. In this position, the depending member 46 is substantially parallel with the second leg 54. In some embodiments, the depending member 46 may be angled with respect to the second leg 54. For example, the inner angle between the depending member 46 and the second leg 54 may be approximately 45°, preferably 25°, and most preferably 15°. When installed, the depending member 46 is preferably configured to press against an outer wall 66 of the fan housing 20 to act as a biasing member to ensure proper engagement between the lower housing edge 28 and the bracket 16. This can help create an effective air seal between the fan housing 20, the removable flange mounting system 14, and the ceiling or wall.

To facilitate the coupling of the bracket 16 to the fan housing 20, the bracket 16 includes at least one projection 38 positioned within the receiver 36 of the bracket 16. These projections 38 may extend from the second leg 54 towards the first leg 52 and may be formed by bending (pressing for relief) a section of the second leg 54. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-10, the projections 38 do not extend through the apertures 48 of the first leg 52. The projections 38 are configured to align with apertures 32 that are formed in the flap 30 (see FIGS. 1-4).

Returning briefly to FIGS. 2 and 3, to couple the bracket 16 to the fan housing 20, the installer applies an downwardly directed force F on the bracket 16 (relative to the housing 20 in the orientation of FIGS. 2 and 3) to place each flap 30 into engagement with the corresponding receiver 36, such that the flap 30 is within the receiver space 59, and to force the projections 38 into the apertures 32 of the flap 30. This downwardly (in the orientation of FIGS. 2 and 3) directed force is oriented substantially parallel to the proximate wall of the housing 20 and substantially perpendicular to the flange 34.

To disconnect the bracket 16, the installer applies a upwardly directed force on the bracket 16 (relative to the housing 20 in the orientation of FIGS. 2 and 3) to dislodge the projections 38 of the receiver 36 from the apertures 32 of the flaps 30. To facilitate the disengagement of the bracket 16 from the housing 20, the first leg 52 of the bracket 16 may have apertures 48 that are aligned with the projections 38. These apertures 48 allow the installer to access and apply a force on the projections 38 to encourage disengagement from the apertures 32. In particular, the user may insert a tool, such as a screw driver, through the apertures 32 to depress the projections 38 and at the same time apply the upwardly directed force on the bracket 16 (relative to the housing 20 in the orientation of FIGS. 2 and 3). In some embodiments, the bracket 16 may be coupled to the fan housing 20 in other ways such as friction fit between the depending member 46 and the outer wall 66 of the fan housing 20. In some embodiments, the projections 38 can be designed to elastically deform under a predetermined load, wherein the projections 38 are be formed from a rubber material, plastic material, or other similar materials.

To begin installation of the flange mounting system 14, the user can orientated the bracket 16 such that the flanges 34 extend outwardly from the fan housing 20 (see FIG. 2). Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the installer positions the bracket 16 such that the lower housing edge 28 is aligned with the receiver 36 of the bracket 16. The installer also positions the bracket 16 such that the projections 38 are aligned with the apertures 32 formed in the flap 30. After the installer has properly aligned the bracket 16 with the fan housing 20, the installer applies the downwardly directed force on the bracket 16 (relative to the housing 20 in the orientation of FIGS. 2 and 3) which in turn displaces the projections 38 into the apertures 32 of the flaps 30 The engagement between the projections 38 and the apertures 32 effectively secures the flange mounting system 14 with the fan housing 20. This completes the installation of one bracket 16. The installer then repeats these steps to install the other bracket 16, which completes the installation of the flange mounting system 14. It should be understood, that the installer may desire to only install one of the brackets 16, or may desire to install only a reduced length of one of the brackets 16. To install only part of one bracket 16, the user U may cut the bracket 16 to a desired length and then follow the above steps.

When the fan housing 20 is inserted into the cutout opening formed in the ceiling, the bracket 16 can fill and/or obstruct the gap G between the housing 20 and the ceiling opening edge E. This gap filling can prevent unwanted air and humidity from passing through the gap G and entering the interior ceiling or wall space. In this assembled state, the flange mounting system 14 can provide an improved seal between the ceiling (or wall) and the fan housing 20.

In the illustrative embodiment, the projections 38 are formed on the receiver 36, and more specifically, on the second leg 54, however, in some embodiments, the projections 38 may be formed on the first leg 52, and/or on the flap 30 and corresponding apertures may be formed on the first and/or second legs 52, 54 of the receiver 36.

In some embodiments, the flange mounting system 14 may be installed after the fan housing 20 is inserted into the cutout formed in the ceiling without fully removing the housing 20 from the cutout. The bracket 16 may configured with the receiver 36 formed with substantially parallel first and second legs 52, 54 that provide the receiver 36 with a substantially rectangular cross-section. At least one projection 38 may extend from the second leg 54 and is configured to engage with the apertures 32 of the corresponding flap 30. The connecting segment 56 may be coplanar with the flange 34, such that they have a continuous, planar appearance. As such, the top flange 34 extends substantially perpendicular to the receiver 36.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

It is to be understood that all described elements are preferably formed from sheet metal and are bent into the shapes shown and described herein. Other materials, such as plastic may injection molded and used instead of sheet metal. In further embodiments, other materials may be used including, but not limited to, polymers, rubbers, foams, ceramics, other metals, metal alloys, or any other material known to those skilled in the art.

While some implementations have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the disclosure, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.

Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention. The word exemplary is used to mean serving as an example or illustration. To the extent that the term include, have, or the like is used, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprise as comprise is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.

Phrases such as an aspect, the aspect, another aspect, some aspects, one or more aspects, an implementation, the implementation, another implementation, some implementations, one or more implementations, an embodiment, the embodiment, another embodiment, some embodiments, one or more embodiments, a configuration, the configuration, another configuration, some configurations, one or more configurations, the subject technology, the disclosure, the present disclosure, other variations thereof and alike are for convenience and do not imply that a disclosure relating to such phrase(s) is essential to the subject technology or that such disclosure applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect or some aspects may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa, and this applies similarly to other foregoing phrases.

The disclosed systems and methods are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular implementations disclosed above are illustrative only, as the teachings of the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative implementations disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. The systems and methods illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein. While compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range are specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.

A phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list. The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one item; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, each of the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” refers to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations, or processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations, or processes may be performed in different order. Some of the steps, operations, or processes may be performed simultaneously. The accompanying method claims, if any, present elements of the various steps, operations or processes in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented. These may be performed in serial, linearly, in parallel or in different order. It should be understood that the described instructions, operations, and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software/hardware product or packaged into multiple software/hardware products.

In one aspect, a term coupled or the like may refer to being directly coupled. In another aspect, a term coupled or the like may refer to being indirectly coupled. Terms such as top, bottom, front, rear, side, horizontal, vertical, and the like refer to an arbitrary frame of reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame of reference. Thus, such a term may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, or horizontally in a gravitational frame of reference.

The disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology. The disclosure provides various examples of the subject technology, and the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles described herein may be applied to other aspects.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout the disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for”.

The title, background, brief description of the drawings, abstract, and drawings are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the detailed description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various implementations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirements of the applicable patent law, nor should they be interpreted in such a way.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “said” and similar references in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. An element proceeded by “a,” “an,” “the,” or “said” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional same elements. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure. Numerous modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

While certain aspects and implementations of the disclosure have been described, these have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. 

1. A ventilation assembly suitable for installation in a ceiling to provide ventilation of the space below the ceiling, the ventilation assembly comprising: a fan assembly including a housing having an inlet opening, a motor and blower assembly situated in the housing and operable to generate a flow of air through the inlet opening and into the housing, and a lower housing edge having at least one aperture; and a flange mounting system for removable engagement with the lower housing edge, the flange mounting system including at least one bracket comprising (i) a receiver that removably engages an extent of the lower housing edge, the receiver having at least one projection and (ii) an outwardly extending flange that engages an extent of the ceiling; wherein the receiver engages the lower housing edge and the at least one projection of the receiver engages a corresponding aperture to removably couple the bracket to the housing.
 2. The ventilation assembly of claim 1, wherein an installer applies a downwardly directed force on the at least one bracket to couple the at least one bracket to the housing, wherein the receiver engages the lower housing edge and the projection of the receiver engages a corresponding aperture of the lower housing edge.
 3. The ventilation assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one bracket includes a first section and a second section extending generally perpendicular to the first section, and wherein the first section is configured to engage the extent of the lower housing edge along a lateral side of the housing, and the second section is configured to engage the extent of the lower housing edge along another lateral side of the housing.
 4. The ventilation assembly of claim 3, wherein the flange comprises a flange section of the first section and a flange section of the second section, and the receiver comprises a receiver section of the first section and a receiver section of the second section.
 5. The ventilation assembly of claim 1, wherein when the fan assembly is installed in an over-mount configuration, a lower surface of the flange engages an upper surface of the ceiling.
 6. The ventilation assembly of claim 1, wherein when the fan assembly is installed in an under-mount configuration, an upper surface of the flange engages a lower surface of the ceiling.
 7. The ventilation assembly of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a first leg and a second leg spaced apart from the first leg to define a receiver space configured to receive the extent of the lower housing edge.
 8. The ventilation assembly of claim 7, wherein the first leg is connected with the second leg by a connection segment to define a U-shape in cross-section.
 9. The ventilation assembly of claim 7, wherein one of the first and second legs includes the at least one projection.
 10. The ventilation assembly of claim 1, wherein the extent of the lower housing edge comprises at least one tab that extends outward from the inlet opening for engagement with the receiver.
 11. The ventilation assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one bracket comprises a plurality of brackets that each engage with different segments of lower housing edge.
 12. The ventilation assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of brackets engage with less than an entirety of the lower housing edge about the inlet opening.
 13. A ventilation assembly suitable for installation in a ceiling or wall to provide ventilation of the adjoining space, the ventilation assembly comprising: a fan assembly including a housing having an inlet opening, a motor and blower assembly situated in the housing and operable to generate a flow of air through the inlet opening and into the housing, and a lower housing edge; and a flange mounting system for removable engagement with the lower housing edge, the flange mounting system including at least one bracket comprising a receiver that removably engages an extent of the lower housing edge and a flange that extends from the receiver outward from the lower housing edge and that engages an extent of the ceiling; wherein at least one of the receiver and the lower housing edge includes one or more projections configured for engagement with corresponding apertures of the other of the receiver and the lower housing edge, in order to removably couple the bracket to the housing.
 14. The ventilation assembly of claim 13, wherein an installer applies a downwardly directed force on the at least one bracket to couple the at least one bracket to the housing, wherein the receiver engages the lower housing edge and the at least one projection of the receiver engages a corresponding aperture of the lower housing edge.
 15. The ventilation assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one bracket includes a first section and a second section extending generally perpendicular to the first section, and wherein the first section is configured to engage the extent of the lower housing edge along a lateral side of the housing, and the second section is configured to engage the extent of the lower housing edge along another lateral side of the housing.
 16. The ventilation assembly of claim 15, wherein the flange comprises a flange section of the first section and a flange section of the second section, and the receiver comprises a receiver section of the first section and a receiver section of the second section.
 17. The ventilation assembly of claim 13, wherein when the fan assembly is installed in an over-mount configuration, a lower surface of the flange engages an upper surface of the ceiling.
 18. The ventilation assembly of claim 13, wherein when the fan assembly is installed in an under-mount configuration, an upper surface of the flange engages a lower surface of the ceiling.
 19. The ventilation assembly of claim 13, wherein the receiver comprises a first leg and a second leg arranged spaced apart with the first leg to define a receiver space configured to receive the extent of the lower housing edge.
 20. The ventilation assembly of claim 19, wherein the first leg is connected with the second leg by a connection segment to define a U-shape in cross-section.
 21. The ventilation assembly of claim 19, wherein one of the first and second legs include the at least one projection.
 22. The ventilation assembly of claim 13, wherein the extent of the lower housing edge comprises at least one tab that extends away from the inlet opening for engagement with the receiver.
 23. The ventilation assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one bracket comprises a plurality of brackets that each engage with different portions of lower housing edge.
 24. The ventilation assembly of claim 23, wherein the plurality of brackets engage with less than an entirety of the lower housing edge about the inlet opening. 